Tim McCarver to Retire From Broadcasting After 2013 MLB Season

After 34 years of broadcasting baseball games, analyst Tim McCarver said Wednesday that he would not seek a new contract with Fox when his current deal ends after the 2013 season.

McCarver explained his decision by saying now is the right time:

"It's time to cut back…I wanted to step down while I could still do the job. It's not a tough call, it's not a sad thing for me. ... But I'm going to miss Joe Buck a lot."

McCarver, 71, said he informed Fox and longtime broadcast partner Joe Buck of his decision in February. The duo has called major league games for the network for 18 years.

McCarver played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Montreal Expos and Boston Red Sox during his playing career from 1959-1980. He began his broadcasting career on the Phillies' local broadcasts in the late 1970s. McCarver called games for ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox. He was inducted to the broadcaster's wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame in July of 2012.